This area recreates the interior of a ship engaged in maritime trade along the "Maritime Silk Road." Notice the bustling crew and the valuable trade goods that were exchanged during this period. The Maritime Silk Road, along with the grassland and desert routes, connected the East to the West. Through this sea route, vibrant trade extended from the Islamic Empire to Southeast Asia and through to East Asia, naturally fostering the advancement of shipbuilding and navigation techniques. While air travel is the fastest mode of transportation today, during that era, maritime trade was preferred due to its speed and ability to transport large quantities of cargo. The most popular trade items were ceramics and spices, leading to the Maritime Silk Road also becoming known as "The Porcelain Road" or "The Spice Road."

You can see a variety of ceramics displayed on one side of the wall. At the center of the Asian ceramic trade were China and Vietnam. In front of you are the "Vase with Peony Design in Underglaze Cobalt Blue" and the "Milk Cup with Potted Flower Design in Underglaze Cobalt Blue," both blue and white porcelains from China's Qing Dynasty. These porcelains are made by painting with cobalt blue pigment on white porcelain, then glazing and firing in a sealed kiln.

Apart from China, several Southeast Asian countries also produced sought-after ceramics. In Vietnam, the production of blue and white porcelain in the mid-14th century led to the development of new ceramic techniques, leading to the export of Vietnamese ceramics. When the Ming Dynasty in China prohibited maritime trade for a span of nearly 200 years, until the end of the 16th century, it inadvertently led to a golden age of Vietnamese ceramic exports. In front of you, the "Dish with Orchid and Arabesque Design in Underglaze Cobalt Blue" and the separately displayed "Large Dish with Unicorn Design in Underglaze Cobalt Blue" are examples of Vietnamese ceramics. Additionally, as you look around, you'll find various spices, grains, silks, and other commodities that were commonly traded between East and West over the ages.

This concludes our tour of the second area of the exhibition, Navigation Hall, where we explored the era of navigation.